Multipurpose blanket



May 25, 1948. L. VACHERCN MULTIPURPOSE. BLANKET Filed Nov. 23, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet- 1 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY May 25 1948. LQVACHERON MULTIPUBPOSEVBLANKET Filed Nov. 25, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 2 40c y Me ream I N VEN TOR.

A ORNEY y 5, 1948. L. VACHERON MULTIPURPQSE BLANKET Filed Nov. 23,- 1945 s sheets-sheet :s

INVEN TOR.

- ATTORNEY P tented May- 25, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT mm m s smnna'r Lucy Vacheron, New York, 8.1. Application November 23, 1945; Serial No. 630.183

This invention relates generally to coverings such as blankets and the like and more particularly to a multi-purpose adjustable blanket.

Heretofore, blankets have been limited as to size and when the blanket has been folded to produce the effect of one having a smaller size with chum. (cl. z-eas) characters vl0 ticular uses, as for example, upon steamer chairs or thelike, requires considerable effort and inconvenience, and frequently'requires the assistance of another person.

In addition, ordinary blankets are open to the objection that in the absence of means fastening them to the chair or bed with which they are used, they tend to slide off and uncover the user. grhis is particularly so in connection with chil- Ordinary blankets too, are inconvenient to transport usually requiring a separate container in order to confine them to a reduced size.

It is therefore, among the principal objects of the present invention to provide novel and useful muJti-purpose blanket structures overcoming the foregoing disadvantages and adding several new features of utility thereover.

Another object herein lies in the provision of blanket construction which may be manufactured with a minimum of waste of material, so that said blankets may be fabricated in large scale at low cost with a consequent wide distribution, use, and sale.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that by the simple manipulation thereof, blankets having a plurality of effective area coverages, may be obtained in a ready and convenient manner, and by the manipulation of a single blanket the utility of many different blankets in obtained with the resulting economy.

Another object herein lies in the provision of blanket construction by virtue of which exposed blanket surfaces may be of varied color, texture or both.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that in certain of the varied forms thereof, the blanket may also act as an independent container for other articles.

Another object herein lies in the provision of blanket structure having panel edge interconnecting means which are easily operatable, and may be operated by the occupant of the blanket as well. Further, said means are adapted to coact in varied arrangements.

Another object herein lies in the provision of blanket structures which are also suitable for use by infants and children so that the blanketsare not readily accidentally removed by the kicking or other movements of the infant or child, and a single blanket may be varied so as to be useful for the child from birth to adulthood.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view showing a first embodiment of the invention in a fully opened condition thereof. 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing adjacent ends of one of the pairs of slide fastener stringers.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective and shows the blanket of Figure 1 as adjusted to form an elongated rectangular two ply blanket or container.

Figure 4 is a view in perspective and shows the blanket of Figure 1 as adjusted to form a square two ply blanket or container.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective and shows a third adjustment or arrangement of the parts to produce an open blanket portion connected to a pouch portion. In this form the open blanket portion is relatively larger in gross area than the pouch portion.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective, on a reduced scale showing the device of Figure 10 in use in one position thereof.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 10 but shows the device therein in a different position of use.

Figure 8 is a view in perspective showing the open blanket portion and connected parts in the process of being closed to form another arrangement of the parts.

Figure 9 is a view in perspective and shows the open portion as closed. This condition follows the step shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view in perspective showing another arrangement of the parts in which the pouch portion includes a greater gross area than the open portion does.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a second embodimentof the invention.

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail fragmentary plan view of a portion of Figure 11.

Figures 13, 14 and 15 are perspective views showing different arrangements of the blanket.

of Figure l.

In accordance with the invention and particularly the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-,10 and 13-15, inclusive, the device generally indicated by reference character l0 may be composed of any suitable material. This material which is in the form of a square may have a first surface i I and a second surface l2. These surfaces may merely be the exposed surfaces of a single layer 'of textile fabric or they may present different appearances and functions. Byv

way of example, the first and second surfaces may be of diiferent colors, or one surface may be composed of a woolly material having a nap and the other may be composed of a smooth or satin faced material. One surface may be treated to resist water.

While the device Ill is generally rectangular and any edge may be placed uppermost, for thepurpose of clarity only, in this description I shall refer to the edge It as a top edge. the edge It as a bottom edge, the edge ii as a right side edge and the edge l8 as a left side edge. The edge l3 includes edge portions lid and lib, and similarly the edges l4, l5 and it include a and b portions, respectively. Interconnecting the midpoints of the edges l3-l 8, inclusive, are a plurality of fold lines ll, l8, liand 20, These fold lines may be imaginary or they may have a disposition to form by reason of a preforming or distortion of the fabric there along. The fold lines just described therefore, delineate the flap portions 2la, 22a, 23a and 24a and the central area Zia and where visible in the drawings, the corresponding portions on the second surface I! are given the same reference character with the sufllx b.

Secured to the edge l3 are the stringers lie and I 3d of a well known separable type slide fastener having a slider lie. The edges ll, ii and ii are similarly provided with the slide fastener stringers llc and lid, lie and lid and llic and l8d. In

each pair of stringers there is a slider, said slider being indicated by reference characters lle, lie and lie. Each of the sliders is provided with a pulling tab on opposed surfaces thereof, and this is best seen in Figure 2 where the pulling tabs iii and l3g are shown. This double tab construction enables the slide fasteners to be operated from either side so as to expose the first surface II or the second surface I! as desired in a given arrangement of the parts. Each of the stringers in the several pairs at the outer ends thereof, preferably extends so as to be substantially co-extensive with the corner of the device in which it approaches. The inner opposed ends of the several pairs of stringers are preferably slightly spaced (see for example, Figure 2) so that the separable inner ends of said stringers may be easily manipulated and so that undesirable puckering of the base fabric forming the first and second surfaces II and I2, will not occur.

Where it is desired to form a blanket such as is seen in Figure 3, the inner end of the stringer lie is engaged with the inner end of the stringer lid and the slider lie is moved upwardly to Join the portions lid and lib. Next, the inner end of the stringer lid is engaged with the inner end of the stringer lie and the slider lie is moved downwardly to join the edges lib and lia. Fol

lowing this, the inner end of the stringer lie is engaged with the inner end of the stringer lid and slider Me when moved toward the. outer ends of said stringers joins the edge Ila with the edge lib. Only the edges l3a and I3!) now remain unconnected and if desired various articles (not shown) may be inserted within the device prior to the engagement of the stringers I30 and lid by the action of the slider lie. In this form the blanket maintains the same length from the top edge to the bottom edge but is one-half the width and twice the thickness. In Figure 13, the stringers lie and lid, and lid and lie are un- .inected to form a pouch into which two people sitting side by side, as in a car or witness- Figure 15 only the stringers lid and lie are disconnectedtoformabuntlng. Turning now to the arrangement of the parts shown in Figure 4, this structure is produced by enga in the pairs of stringers lie-lid, llc-lld, lie-lid, and lic-lid. This positioning of the parts places the flap portions 2lb-2lb, inclusive, uppermost. The resulting blanket occupies one-half the gross area occupied by the blanket arrangement of Figure 1, but the resultant blanket as contrasted with Figure 8 is square.

It may be mentioned at this point that the formations shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 in which the second surface I 2 is visible, may be reversed in view of the double tab pulls on the slide fasteners to produce a different external texture or appearance. Thus (as viewed in Figure 1), if the various fiapportions 2la-24d, inclusive, are folded-downwardly about the fold lines I 1-2. respectively, the first surface II will be exposed on the central area 25a as well as on said flap portions. The engagement of the separable zippers at the opposed inner ends or the pairs of stringers is readily accomplished.

Turning now to the arrangement of the parts shown in Figure 5, the upper or open portion of the blanket lll is formed by a portion of the central area 2511 and the flap portions Ma and 22a. The pouch portion 30 is formed by the joining together of the stringers lie and lld. As seen in Figure 14, the pouch portion 30 may cover the lower portions of the body of the wearer while the open portion 29 may be folded and brought about to cover the upper front portion of the body of the wearer. In Figure 14 the device ofFigure 5 is reversed so that the portion 29 at the center thereof overlies the front portion of the upper part of the body of the wearer. Here again, depending upon the direction in which the flap portions 23a and 24a are folded about the fold lines 19 and 20, the first surface ll or second surface I! may be exposed.

In Figure 10 an arrangement of the parts is shown in which the pouch 32 forms a greater area than the open portion 3|. The arrangement shown in Figure 10 is produced by interengaging the pairs of stringers lie and lid, and lie and lid. The use of the form shown in Figure 10 may be similar to that shown in Figures 6 and '1, providing greater coverage in the pouch area and less in the open area.

Turning now to the arrangement of the parts shown in Figures 8 and 9, this is produced by first taking the form shown in Figure 5 and bringing the edge portions lib and lid toward each other as shown in Figure 8. Following this, the inner ends of the stringers lid and llic are interengaged and the slider lie is moved upwardly to produce the finished arrangement shown in Figure 9. While there is an opening in the front portion of this arrangement, produced by the disconnection of the stringers lie and lid, this opening is to some extent obstructed by the overlying thereof by the portions 35 and 36 shown on Figure 9.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, it will be seen that this embodiment diifers from the prior described embodiment only in the fact that the slide fasteners or zippers are of the nonseparable type and for the purpose of avoiding unnecessary repetition, parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are given the same ing a sporting event, may place their feet. In 76 reference characters with the addition of the prefix I. As best seen in Figure 12, the inner ends of thepairs of stringers, for example the stringers 8c and id there shown are in constant mesh even when the slide fastener is open.

A further distinction in the second embodiment is seen in that the front surface I I I and the rear surface I I 2 may be formed by two separate layers of fabric so that the seam I 40 which joins these two layers may, by following the path shown, form a plurality ofpockets Ill, I42, I43 and I,

into which the several sliders IIGe, IIle, 5e and IIle may be disposed in the fully opened condition of said slide fasteners. Such construction provides for neatness and comfort since the relatively larger size slider is partially concealed. By the manipulationof the appropriate pairs of slide fasteners, forms corresponding generally to those shown in Figures 4, 5 and 10, may be produced with the second embodiment of the invention.-

Here again the sliders may have oppositely disposed pairs of pull tabs so that the device may be fully or partially closed to expose the first or second principal surfaces thereof.

It may thus be seen that I have disclosed a novel and useful blanket construction which is extremely versatile, since by connecting or disconnecting various parts thereof variously shaped and sized body covering blanket formations are produced. In the closest form my blanket is adapted to act as a container for other accessories or may contain a plurality of other blankets of the same characteristics for use by a. group simultaneously. In the limited forms which my blanket may take, by reason of the various edge connections described, undesirable wrinkling or bunching is inhibited.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two relatively free edges. said edges being arranged at an angle with respect to each other; each of the said edges having first and second portions; and slide fastener means to detachably interconnect said first and second portions on each of said edges.

2. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having three relatively freeedges, said edges being arranged atangles with respect to each other; each of the said edges having first and second portions; and slide fastener means to detachably interconnect said first and second portions on each of said edges.

3. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two pairs of oppositely disposed relatively free edges, said pairs being arranged at an angle with respect to each other; each of the edges insaid pairs having first and second portions; and slide fastener means to detachably interconnect said first and second portions on each of said edges.

' ing first and second portions; and separable slide fastener means to detachably interconnect said v first and second portions on each of said edges;

said separable slide fastener means each including a pair of stringers having inner or starting ends juxtaposed and adjacent each other.

6. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two pairs of oppositely disposed relatively free edges, said pairs being arranged at an angle with respect 'to each other; each of the edges in said pairs having first and second portions; and means to detachably interconnect said first and second portions on each of said edges; said means including a pair of separable slide fastener stringers and a slider; one of the stringers in said pair being engageable with another of the stringersin another pair.

7. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two pairs of oppositely disposed relatively free edges, said pairs being arranged at an angle with respect to each other; each of the edges in said pairs having first and second portions; and means to detachably interconnect said first and second portions on each of said edges; said means including a pair of slide fastener stringers and a slider having a pair of oppositely disposed pull tabs; whereby said blanket may be adjusted to a closed position thereof with either the first or second surface thereof being exposed.

8. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two pairs of oppositely disposed relatively free edges, each of said edges having a pocket; said pairs being arranged at an angle with respect to each other; each of the edges in said pairs having first and second portions; and slide fastener means to detachably interconnect said first and second portions on each-of said edges; a portion of said slide fastener means being insertable in said pockets when said slide fastener means is in an open position thereof.

9. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two I other; a slide fastener stringer on one of said 4. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two pairs of oppositely disposed relatively free edges, said pairs being arranged at an angle with respect to each other; each of the edges in said pairs having first and second portions; and separable slide fastener means to detachably interconnect said first and second portions on each of said edges.

5. A blanket construction comprising: a body having first and second surfaces and having two (5 258,300

edges; two aligned slide fastener stringers on the other edge; and a slider carried by one of the latter stringers for selective operative engagement with the other two stringers.

LUCY VACHERON REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,296,358 Marinsky et al. Sept. 22, 1942 2,344,010 Walsh Mar. 14, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date Italy Apr. 13, 1928 

